波士頓慶祝台灣關係法45週年 麻州州長、眾議會發文支持

俞大㵢大使(左七)到麻州眾議會議事廳接受麻州眾議會議長Ron Marinao (左八)和
麻州眾議員黃子安(左十)，陳德基(佐久)等人簽署的支持台灣關係法決議文。
(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 駐波士頓經文處邀得中華民國第16任駐美代表俞大㵢夫婦助陣，4月4日在麻州州政府大樓慶祝「台灣關係法 (TRA)」45週年，不但有麻州眾議會議長簽署決議文，還破紀錄的連麻州正副州長也簽署了一份文件，支持台美關係。

俞大㵢大使夫婦(前右)，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏夫婦(前左)
和麻州眾議會議長Ronald Mariano (中）等麻州議會人員合影。(周菊子攝)

             「臺灣關係法」是由美國國會制定，總統於1979年4月10日簽署，旨在維護西太平洋地區和平，授權美國人民與台灣人民繼續保持商業、文化等關係，成為台美關係基石的一項法案。

             俞大㵢大使在波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏陪同下，這天先拜會了麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)，晤談約半小時，再在麻州眾議員黃子安陪同下拜會麻州眾議會議長Ron Mariano，也晤談約20分鐘後，到麻州眾議會議事廳親自聆聽麻州眾議會又一度的通過支持「台灣關係法」決議案。

俞大㵢大使夫婦(右)，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏夫婦(左)和麻州眾議會
議長Ronald Mariano (中）在臺灣關係法45週年慶祝會中合影。(周菊子攝)

             在慶祝麻州又一度支持「台灣關係法」的招待會上，廖朝宏處長，Ron Mariano議長，俞大㵢大使一一致詞。

             曾經到過台灣2次的Mariano議長，發言讓人十分暖心。他稱台灣為民主火炬，備受壓力，慶祝「台灣關係法」這樣的活動，因此十分重要，傳遞了”我們不會背棄夥伴，我們尊重而且支持他們的自由權利”的訊息。

俞大㵢大使夫婦(前右)，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏夫婦(前左)
和麻州眾議會議長Ronald Mariano (中）等麻州議會人員
及支持僑胞合影。(周菊子攝)

             俞大㵢大使22年前就來過波士頓，到哈佛大學參加一簽署活動。他說，正如Mariano議長所言，他來美上任後出訪的第一站，必須是麻州、波士頓這個美國出生地，自由發源地，和台灣在很多方面都很像的地方，腦力、人力集中，將以人工智慧帶動下一波工業革命。他很高興自己被派駐到美國，這個重視民主自由價值，非常支持台灣的國度。他指出，民主自由是很珍貴的，人們一旦嚐到滋味，就不會回頭了。

之前一天應邀到哈佛大學甘迺迪政府學院闡述台灣關係法，和哈佛大學副教務長歐立德 (Mark C. Ellott) ，哈佛大學費正清中心主任伍人英，哈佛教授賽奇 (Tony Saich)等人晤談的俞大㵢還說明，他們正在繼續推動台美「21世紀貿易倡議」，期盼落實後擴大雙邊的投資貿易活動。

麻州眾議會為支持台灣關係法，再次通過決議文。
(周菊子攝)

他指出，台灣是個小國家，比麻州略大三分之一，但卻是麻州第八大貿易夥伴，雙邊貿易額和比麻州和印度、巴西、義大利、荷蘭、法國等國家都高。

俞大㵢也提到台灣剛遭逢7級多的大地震，不幸的已有10人死亡，但災情比921大地震時輕得多，台積電的生產線也已恢復八成。

             在慶祝會活動現場，展示了麻州眾議會，由議長Mariano和眾議會亞裔核心小組的黃子安、陳德基等7名眾議員簽署的支持台灣關係法決議文，以及由麻州正副州長簽名的嘉許狀 (Citation)。

             麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 在這份嘉許狀中指出，她代表麻州人民承認台灣關係法在維持，奠定台美關係基礎上的重要性，以確保包括台灣與麻州之間，在共同擁有的民主自由價值觀下，持續交流、互動的雙邊關係，有光明未來。

             麻州老人事務廳廳長陳倩，麻州參議員William Brownsberger，John F. Keenan，以及十幾名麻州眾議員，包括Paul Donado， Kay Khan，James O’Day，Sean Garballey等人，都出席了慶祝會。

             大波士頓僑界到會的有波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，波士頓僑務諮詢委員蔣宗壬，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，英文書記阮鴻燦，台灣人公共事務協會全美副會長鍾佳君，波士頓台灣世衛協進會創會會長蘇鴻昌，波克萊台灣商會會長李孟潔，新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長王志維，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊等人。

台灣駐美大使訪麻州 慶祝臺灣關係法45週年 (視頻)

 

波士頓市長公佈鄰里咖啡時間日程 6月7日會晤華埠居民

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES 2024 NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE HOUR SERIES

BOSTON - Thursday, April 4, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2024 Neighborhood Coffee Hour Series in partnership with Dunkin’® in parks citywide from April 22 to June 26.  Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours offer a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and their neighborhoods. Through these conversations, and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Wu looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon parks, public areas, and City services. “Every neighborhood and every resident has their own diverse set of concerns that deserve to not only be heard, but to be acknowledged and addressed,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am excited for all of the conversations and connection that will come from Neighborhood Coffee Hours.” Leadership and staff from the Community Engagement Cabinet will be at each Coffee Hour. Community members will have an opportunity to meet their neighborhood liaisons, who will share updates on each neighborhood, including how many 311 cases have been resolved, streets repaired, as well as the City’s investments in housing, local businesses, and the arts. The City is again releasing a Community Input Survey, which provides an opportunity for constituents to ask questions and inform what will be presented during Coffee Hours with the Mayor. Last year, this proved to be a success, allowing constituents to hear directly from the  Mayor and City leaders as they addressed concerns and answered constituents' questions at each Coffee Hour event. “Coffee Hours with the Mayor is an intentional effort to meet community members in the heart of their neighborhoods,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of the Community Engagement Cabinet. “I encourage residents, including our youth, seniors, civic organizations, business owners, and local leaders to attend this neighborhood-centered event. Boston 311 will be present to connect residents to essential city services.”   Dunkin’ will be on-site with freshly brewed Iced Coffee and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats. Dunkin’ will have lawn games and gift card giveaways. Residents at each event will also be eligible to win a raffle prize from Dunkin’. Individuals in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last. Fresh fruit will be provided by Star Market. “Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are vital for community engagement, allowing residents to share their thoughts directly. We're grateful for their participation,” noted Ryan Woods, Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department. “These events not only foster dialogue but also mark the kickoff for our exciting summer calendar of events. From outdoor concerts to movies to arts and crafts workshops for kids, our programming breathes life into our parks, fulfilling our core mission of creating vibrant spaces for all to enjoy." All coffee hours will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. Visit boston.gov/coffee-hours for more information. The full schedule of Mayor Wu’s 2024 Neighborhood Coffee Hours is as follows:  Monday, April 22 Billings Field 369 LaGrange Street West Roxbury Wednesday, April 24 Training Field (Winthrop Square)  55 Winthrop Street Charlestown Thursday, April 25 Adams Park 4225 Washington Street Roslindale Monday, April 29 Horatio Harris Park  85 Harold Street Roxbury Wednesday, May 1 Walker Playground 550 Norfolk Street Mattapan Monday, May 6 Peter’s Park 230 Shawmut Avenue South End Tuesday, May 7 Mozart Street Playground 10 Mozart Street Jamaica Plain Thursday, May 23 McConnell Park 30 Denny Street Dorchester Wednesday, May 29 Noyes Playground 86 Boardman Street East Boston Friday, May 31 Medal of Honor Park E 3rd and M Street South Boston Thursday, June 6 Iacono Playground 150 Readville Street Hyde Park Friday, June 7 Elliot Norton Park 295 Tremont Street Bay Village/Chinatown Tuesday, June 11 Langone Park 529 Commercial Street North End Friday, June 14 Back Bay Fens (Near Kelleher Rose Garden) 73 Park Drive Fenway/Kenmore Monday, June 17 Brighton Common 30 Chestnut Hill Avenue Allston-Brighton Tuesday, June 18 Commonwealth Avenue Mall (Arlington Street entrance)  15 Commonwealth Avenue Back Bay/Beacon Hill Monday, June 24 Mission Hill Playground 1497 Tremont Street Mission Hill Wednesday, June 26 Mother’s Rest 410 Washington Street Dorchester For more information and updates on possible rain locations, please contact the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at (617) 635-4505 or @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, or Instagram, or by visiting boston.gov/parks

Healey-Driscoll Administration to Explore Shared Campus Model for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College

 Healey-Driscoll Administration to Explore Shared Campus Model for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College 

Seeks Community Input to Help Modernize, Expand Access, and Deliver Effective Educational Opportunities at Both Institutions  

BOSTON –Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced initial steps to explore a shared campus model for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School (WT) and Northern Essex Community College (NECC) on NECC’s Haverhill campus, a collaborative effort with state and local partners that aims to meet the evolving educational needs of the region’s students and communities, efficiently and affordably. 

This partnership with NECC and WT will explore ways to create a new, modern facility for Whittier Tech, allow for expanded access to postsecondary education across northeastern Massachusetts, and increase enrollment capacity at both institutions and make them more affordable. It will also open up new avenues for potential additional funding sources beyond cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley. 

“Our administration knows that a new, modern facility is needed for Whittier Tech, but we also understand the communities’ concerns about cost,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This potential collaboration between Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College aims to meet the needs of our students and communities in an efficient, affordable and innovative way. In the coming weeks, our administration will be engaging with local officials to provide information about this vision and receive their feedback. We’re grateful for the leadership of NECC President Lane Glenn and Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch and look forward to our continued partnership as we work toward a solution that will benefit our students, educators, communities and economy.” 

“This is a pivotal moment for education and workforce development,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This effort is intended to generate a shared commitment across the district to develop a plan that will meet the demands of our students in an ever-changing economy, while also accounting for the financial demands of municipal budgets.” 
“NECC and Whittier Tech have similar missions and have been successfully collaborating on Early College and adult vocational programs for years,” said Lane Glenn, President of Northern Essex Community College. “With better paying jobs requiring some kind of postsecondary education and training, exploring an innovative shared campus model has tremendous potential for students, families, communities, and the regional workforce needs of the Merrimack Valley.”   
“Whittier Tech is excited about the possibility of working with NECC and exploring opportunities to combine our resources to support our students and our workforce,” said Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch. “We’re grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for their leadership on this innovative proposal that has the potential to be truly transformative for our school and our economy.

“We know that the spaces that our students and educators spend time in can facilitate or inhibit learning,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I look forward to working with NECC President Lane Glenn, Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch and our state and local partners on this innovative collaboration and shared commitment that centers student and educator experiences and sets them up for success, while also supporting the local community and economy.” 

The Healey-Driscoll administration will work collaboratively with Northern Essex Community College and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School to convene legislators, municipal officials, and other regional stakeholders to discuss this initiative, obtain feedback, and foster collaboration to explore the possibility of a new high school building and site proposal for Whittier Tech.  

In collaboration with NECC and Whittier Tech, the administration intends to engage the communities of Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Ipswich, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury to address previous challenges, drive innovation for our students, and garner excitement across the district. 

麻州政府撥款290萬給20個多元組織處理濫用藥物問題

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.9 Million to 20 Diverse Organizations to Address Substance Use 

Awards are part of a new initiative aimed at increasing future grant funding opportunities for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $2.9 million to 20 organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to address substance use in the communities they serve, which continue to be disproportionately impacted by increases in overdoses.  

The grants are the first to be awarded through the Redefining Community Wellness program, a new initiative intended to support BIPOC-led organizations committed to addressing substance use disorder, including by focusing on underlying social, economic, and environmental conditions that can put people at greater risk for substance misuse. Additionally, this funding will help the organizations expand their substance use program capacity to improve their ability to qualify and apply for future grant funding through the Department of Public Health (DPH). 

Recognizing that communities of color often have inadequate access to culturally responsive substance use programs and that underserved communities experience higher rates of poor health, DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services developed the program last year in partnership with Health Resources in Action (HRiA) and in collaboration with a community advisory board comprised of BIPOC residents and organizations. 

“Our administration is deeply committed not only to preventing overdoses in our state, but also providing the incredible organizations doing the work in communities with the tools they need to improve health outcomes and save lives,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By investing in these diverse organizations now, we are laying the foundation for them to have the resources they need to address the overdose crisis appropriately and quickly in the future.” 

“So many cities and towns throughout the state have been devastated by the overdose crisis,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This initial round of awards helps these organizations address the root causes of the overdose epidemic and take action to prevent further harm.” 

“Centering health equity and preventing overdose deaths is extremely important not only to our administration, but to the people who are impacted by the loss of their friends, family members, and loved ones,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Instead of merely making decisions for the communities that are impacted most by substance disorder, we look to these organizations for their leadership and hope they can help us make it so that substance use programming is more accessible and culturally sensitive, especially since our data shows where it is needed the most.” 

“Improving equity in access to programs and services, especially for residents struggling with ubstance use disorder, is a priority for DPH. This initiative intentionally centers voices and organizations from Black and Brown communities and leverages a culturally sensitive approach to reducing structural and institutional barriers to programs and services,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Substance use disorders and the devastating overdose crisis continue to shatter far too many families in Massachusetts. We must invest in evidence-based, equitable solutions that can help restore hope and rebuild lives.” 

Each organization will receive up to $145,000 over 17 months from February 2024 through June 2025. The funding will support programming to address substance use directly – through overdose prevention, intervention, and recovery services – or indirectly by focusing on social determinants of health, including addressing housing, job, and food insecurity and other basic needs. Services will prioritize communities of color, with additional focus on people who do not speak English, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people who are unhoused, and people who were previously incarcerated.  

By helping the organizations build their program capacity, the Redefining Community Wellness initiative also aims to improve the grantees’ ability to qualify for future grant opportunities through DPH, which ultimately helps increase diverse representation within the Department’s grant award process. 

“We recognize the disturbing reality that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have inadequate access to substance use programs and are disproportionately affected by policies that do not respond to, or consider their specific needs,” said DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services Director Deirdre Calvert. “We launched the Redefining Community Wellness grants program to address this challenge and to support a wide variety of community-led programming.”  

Redefining Community Wellness grant program awardees: 

• African Cultural Services, Inc. - Waltham serving the Metrowest region 

• B FREE Wellness – South Yarmouth serving the Southeast region 

• Black Behavioral Health Network, Inc. - Springfield serving the Western region 

• Calvary Pentecostal Church – East Freetown serving the Southeast region 

• Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell (CMAA) - Lowell serving the Northeast region 

• Chastity’s Consulting & Talent Group – Boston serving the Boston and Central regions 

• Choice Recovery Coaching, Inc. - Springfield serving the Western region 

• Dwelling House of Hope, Inc. - Lowell serving the Northeast region 

• Follow My Steps Foundation, Inc. - Springfield serving the Western region 

• Future Hope Apprenticeship and Recovery Program – Boston serving the Boston region 

• Latin American Health Alliance of Central Massachusetts – Worcester serving the Central region 

• Mandela Yoga Project, Inc. - Boston serving the Boston, Northeast and Central regions 

• Merrimack Valley Dream Center, Inc. - Lawrence serving the Northeast region 

• MotherWoman d/b/a Women of Color Health Equity Collective – Springfield serving the Metrowest and Western regions 

• SaveSouls, Inc. - Canton serving the Northeast region 

• Sueños Basketball – Lawrence serving the Northeast region 

• Talbot Avenue Church of Christ – Milton serving the Boston and Southeast regions 

• Transformational Prison Project – Boston serving the Boston region 

• Urban Impact Initiative Massachusetts – Springfield serving the Western region 

• Vietnamese American Civic Association, Inc. - Dorchester serving all regions in Massachusetts 

波士頓市房屋局慶祝南端Lenox大樓285戶可負擔住宅大翻修

MAYOR WU, BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY CELEBATE MAJOR UPGRADES TO HISTORIC LENOX APARTMENTS IN SOUTH END AND ROXBURY Renovations including new kitchens, bathrooms, in-unit washers and dryers, and a transformed community building, mark the most significant upgrades to the Lenox Apartments since first constructed in 1939 as first public housing in Boston designated to housing Black residents

BOSTON - Thursday, April 4, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today joined the Boston Housing Authority, Beacon Communities and Roxbury and South End residents to celebrate the completion of significant upgrades to 285 affordable units at Lenox Apartments in the South End and Lower Roxbury. The 13-building complex, a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, was originally constructed in 1939 as the first public housing in Boston that had been designated to housing Black Bostonians and later became a focal point for the push to desegregate public housing. The renovations mark the most significant upgrades since Lenox Street’s construction, and ensure the preservation and long-term affordability of the community as quality family housing. “The transformation of Roxbury’s historic Lenox Apartments demonstrates our efforts of making sure Boston is an equitable, accessible city for all walks of life," said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We remain committed to preserving the history and character of this community as we invest in the well-being of Lenox residents.” The extensive upgrades to the community included brand new kitchens, bathrooms and in-unit washers and dryers. This major investment included the transformation of the community building which now includes a computer learning center, music room, fitness center, offices for management and the resident task force. In addition, accessibility, safety and security upgrades were made as well as overall ground improvements including a new playground, a children’s water play area, and bike share stations. “For nine decades, the Lenox community has served to anchor housing affordability for hundreds of families in the South End and Lower Roxbury,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “This project has not only given those families better homes and a better quality of life, it has honored the community’s legacy by securing its future.”  “We are grateful to our partners at the Boston Housing Authority for championing the preservation and renovation of 285 family apartments serving the Roxbury neighborhood,” said Beacon CEO Dara Kovel. “This investment significantly improves the quality of these homes and ensures long-term housing affordability for generations to come.” Built in the late 1930s,  Lenox was the first public housing in Boston authorized under federal policy to serve exclusively Black families, a designation that was challenged in the 1960s, when Melnea Cass, Boston chapter president of the NAACP, filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination citing Lenox as an example of segregation in public housing, leading ultimately to its formal desegregation in the 1980s. Lenox has nevertheless always celebrated the history of the African American community in Boston. Its interior landscaped courts were named in honor of prominent African American Bostonians, including William Monroe Trotter, founder of the Boston Guardian newspaper and Boston Equal Right League; Dr. Andrew B. Lattimore, a physician who practiced in the Lenox neighborhood; and Edward A. Ditmus, a distinguished veteran of the Civil War. The community, management and maintenance space were reconfigured and fully renovated to include new amenities designed to promote health, learning and interaction. The landscaping-originally designed by the distinguished Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm was refreshed while continuing to honor the prominent Black Bostonians for whom the Lenox courtyards have been named. “Congratulations to all the residents of Lenox Apartments who now have brand new apartment homes where they can live and prosper in the Roxbury community,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “MassHousing was pleased to be a partner in this transformative effort by Beacon Communities and the Boston Housing Authority to improve and preserve this important affordable housing resource for many years into the future.” Funding for Lenox Apartments came together through a combination of federal and state LIHTC and historic tax credits. The Boston Housing Authority provided Section 8 Project Based Vouchers (PBV) in conjunction with MassHousing taxable and tax-exempt bond financing. Almost all units are restricted to households earning 50% Area Median Income (AMI) or below, making them deeply affordable.

紐英崙伍胥山公所慶龍年 主席伍振中親筆畫作謝同宗

伍氏宗親合影。 (黃定國攝)

            

伍胥山公所宗親春宴前祭祖。
前排右起，伍煥華、黃氏議長黃國麟，伍振中、黃周麗桃、伍偉業、伍輝民。
(周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙伍胥山公所3月31日晚在帝苑大酒樓慶祝甲辰青龍年，300 多宗親、嘉賓共聚一堂，祝願新的一年，人人龍馬精神，身心健康。波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏上台獻唱” 愛拚才會贏” ，是當晚一大特色。

             伍氏主席伍偉業、伍振中和元老伍伯和、伍煥華，美東總長伍輝民在洪青體育會的瑞獅採青獻桔後，請麻州眾議員黃子安，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，僑教中心主任潘昭榮等嘉賓合影，拉開慶祝會序幕。

伍氏以全隻金豬祭祖。右起，元老伍煥華，美東總長伍輝民，
主席伍振中、伍偉業。(周菊子攝)

              在主席、嘉賓致詞環節，由於芝加哥黃氏宗親會今年正好同日慶祝新春，黃氏元老、主席等人不克分身，這晚請出黃氏議長黃國麟致詞，維繫黃伍一家親的傳統。麻州眾議員黃子安則說明自己代表麻州眾議會議長Ronald Mariano，麻州眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz) ，陳德基，以及他自己，4人聯名送出表揚狀，表揚伍氏長年不卸的照顧宗親，服務社區。

              伍氏還依照傳統送出利市給中華廣教學校、中華耆英會，中華僑立學校，以支持教育及社會服務。

伍氏請洪青體育會舞獅。(周菊子攝)

              甫升任為伍氏全美元老的伍煥華十分興奮，在舞台上再度朗朗而談去年八月的全美伍氏懇親大會盛大、成功，全靠宗親們不辭辛勞，有求必應，甚至主動請纓。本身是書畫家，畫作已上拍賣場，創辦有神筆基金會的伍氏新主席伍振中，特地親筆繪製大幅畫作，在這天送給宗親，感謝伍輝民、李伍碧香，伍豔梨，伍慧儀等人。

伍氏宗親會今年的這場龍年春宴，文娛環節在伍氏宗親大合唱「歡樂年年」後，由駐唱秀場的宗親伍國光，以一首張學友的「吻別」開場。在伍豔梨，伍仁甫的主持中，出席宗親及嘉賓，不但唱卡拉OK，還跳恰恰，排舞，讓波士頓華埠難得的又見翩翩舞姿。     (僑務電子報 :    https://ocacnews.net/article/366008?cid=2 )

麻州眾議員黃子安(左起)頒表揚狀，伍氏主席伍振中、伍偉業代表接受。

伍偉業(右一)、伍振中(中)代表伍氏，送出利市，僑立學校黃鷹立，中華耆英會
梅伍'銀寬，中華廣教學校李伍綺蓮代表各自的機構領取。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏致詞。 (周菊子攝)

伍振中(右四)親筆繪圖，和伍煥華(右一)、伍偉業 (右三)一起送給協辦全美懇親大會
有大功勞者。 (周菊子攝)

黃氏宗親會由議長黃國麟代表致詞。(周菊子攝)

右起，伍煥華、伍振中一起送出畫作給李伍碧香。

伍氏宗親大合唱"歡樂年年"。 (周菊子攝)

伍國光是在美出生第二代，中文不太流利。 (周菊子攝)

出席嘉賓在譚達兒獻唱時翩翩起舞。(周菊子攝)

李伍碧香帶頭跳排舞。

伍侃滋 (左)等人在李伍碧香(右)帶動下跳排舞。(周菊子攝)

譚達兒(左)和陳余寶愛合唱。(周菊子攝)

麻州稅收驟減 州政府計畫凍結人員聘僱

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 鑒於財政收入未改善，有不下3個消息來源稱，麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 計畫至少在6月到期的會計年度前，凍結州政府人員聘僱。

              4月3日是麻州政府預定公告最近稅收估計的日子，估計凍結聘僱也從這天開始生效，至於這一凍結將為州政府節省多少經費等細節，目前還不清楚。

              麻州預算長Matthew Gorzkowicz向媒體證實了州政府的這一計畫，但他把凍結形容為”聘僱控制”，並稱這暫時性的行動，旨在年底前平衡預算，並保留經費給核心項目及服務。

              那些直接護理及公安服務的職位，將豁免於凍結另。由於法院命令而必須填補的季節性聘僱職位，人員離職出現的空缺，以及在4月3日前已收到聘僱信者將不受影響。

              有關人員表示，奇他的所有聘僱，都必須經過奚莉政府的預算辦公室批准。

              麻州已經連續8個月稅收低於預期。儘管奚莉州長在今年初已調降麻州稅收預估，截至2月底的稅收，比預計少了2億7500萬元。

              在麻州參、眾議會目前都在為下一個會計年度預算做準備之際，畢肯丘 (Beacon Hill)上的人都在密切關注每個月的稅收數額。

              一月份時，奚莉州長公佈了她的新年度預算案，580億元，比目前的預算多20億元，或3.7%。增幅比之前一年低。奚莉州長引以為州政府官員已經在勒緊腰帶的證據。

              然後也在一月中，奚莉州長已稅收比預期低，再刪3億7500萬元預算，從耆英外展，支援行為健康，流浪漢庇護所等服務項目，刪減經費。

              那時候，奚莉州長發信給州議員們，表示她的刪減，不會影響到學校或者地方補助的經費，州政府也沒有裁員的計畫。

              同一時候，麻州預算辦公室把本會計年度稅收估計，調降了10億元。那時候州政府的稅收已經比原本預期的少4%，或7億6900萬元左右。

              在麻州於2023年以前，連續多年，甚至出現稅收預算破紀錄之後，去年4月開始，麻州稅收開始急速下降，比預期的少了6億元。

              總的來說，大約短缺5億9300萬元。包括比預期低的利得稅。

              可是麻州的開支卻在持續增加。例如州政府預計下個會計年度要花9億1500萬元在緊急庇護所上，州政府還向周億會提交了一個法案，要讓州長動用州政府存在備用戶口中，包括去年數百萬元盈餘的8億5000萬元。

              計畫凍結人員聘僱，奚莉政府倒也不是第一個。2015年時任州長的查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)就在宣誓就任得不到24小時內，凍結了非必要人員的聘僱。那時候查理貝克說，州政府的赤字，證明了麻州面對必須修補的花費問題。